Great Lakes to Greenbelt–Lake Ontario Watershed Cycling Network

WINE COUNTRY ROUNDABOUT

Distance: 49km

Enjoy a 50 km tour of the lower Niagara through one of the country’s finest wine regions along the Greenbelt and waterfront, including history, views, and a stellar beach for a midway cool-off.

Begin your trip on historic Queenston Heights, with great views of the Niagara River gorge, parks and facilities and enjoy almost 20km of relative downhill to–and alongside–the Welland Canal. Stop for ice cream and a swim in Port Weller, and cruise near the shores of Lake Ontario to scenic and historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, where you’ll find a ton of gnosh-worthy eateries and the Fort George National Historic Site, ensuring you’ll have more than 1812 ways to enjoy your tour. End your ride with a cruise along the Niagara River Recreation Trail (also designated as part of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and Great Trail), with great views of the River, but be warned! Those great views on Queenston Heights come at a price, as you’ll have to climb the heights to get back to your start. If you’re done in time, grab some food at the Queenston Heights restaurant. You’ve earned it.

Tip: If you want to avoid the Niagara Escarpment’s Queenston Heights, there is a small parking lot at the Greenbelt Route Trailhead location on York Road (north side of York, just west of Niagara Parkway), noted on the Ride with GPS map.

Terrain: Some hills. Remember Lake Ontario is lower than Lake Erie, so travelling towards Lake Ontario is downhill.

Start and Finish:  Bruce Trail Southern Terminus Cairn, 14184 Niagara Pkwy Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0

Surface: Combination of paths and roads. Paved. Suitable for road bikes.

Level: Know the rules of the road; comfortable sharing road with vehicles. Some roads with narrow shoulders.

Family-friendly options–in and out along the Welland Canal trail or the Niagara River Recreation Trail.

Maps: Download RidewithGPS Map and Cue Sheet.  The interactive map and detailed cue sheets include a picture of signs you’ll follow.

Share your trips with the #greenbeltroute and #waterfronttrail hashtags.

About the Greenbelt

At 2 million acres, it’s the world’s largest permanently protected greenbelt. The Greenbelt preserves diverse and scenic landscapes such as the Oak Ridges Moraine and the Niagara Escarpment, keeping our farmlands, forests and wetlands safe and secure. The Greenbelt Foundation, who spearheaded the creation of the Greenbelt Route, works to help keep farmers successful, strengthen local economies, protect natural features, and promote sustainable growth.

Learn more at greenbelt.ca

Great Lakes to Greenbelt Lake Ontario Watershed Network

Stretching over 3600 km, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail connects 155 communities and First Nations along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes region. The signed, 475 km Greenbelt Route spans seven regions, nearly two million acres of protected Greenbelt lands,  from Northumberland to Niagara.

With support from the Greenbelt Foundation, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust is leading work to develop a Lake Ontario Watershed network of signed routes that link the two extraordinary trails to protect, connect and celebrate Lake Ontario’s watershed. 

Ontario by Bike

Find certified bicycle-friendly accommodations, restaurants, cafes, attractions, visitor information centres, and bike store locations across the Greenbelt with Ontario By Bike, a premier trip planning resource

for cycling experiences. For Ontario By Bike Bike-friendly certified businesses visit Ontario by Bike.